Publishers Association Website

The Publishers Association has recently received the following notice from the Department for Business & Trade confirming that the 2023 duty suspension application window is now open. The window will be open for two months, until 11.59pm on Sunday 6 August 2023.

It provides an opportunity for businesses to apply for a temporary reduction to tariffs on goods, including on inputs into production. Suspensions will usually be implemented for a 2 year period.

Please visit this page to get more information on where and how to apply.

Duty suspensions are designed to help UK and Crown Dependency businesses remain competitive in the global marketplace. They do this by suspending, either in whole or in part, import duties on certain goods, normally those used as inputs into domestic production processes.  All UK and Crown Dependency importers can benefit from the reduced duty rate of suspensions.

In inviting businesses to submit applications for suspensions, the Government is seeking to understand and, where possible, address any concerns businesses have. Tackling inflation is top of the Government’s priority list to help ease the pressures people are facing, and prevent disruption to growth.

Between 1 June and 31 July 2021, the Government ran the UK’s first independent business-led suspension application window. They received 232 requests and over 100 suspensions entered into force on 1 January 2023. These measures will benefit businesses across multiple sectors, including chemicals, automotive, renewables, and food and drink.

This year they are making the following improvements to the process:

  • Removal of £10,000 duty savings minimum threshold: we are no longer asking applicants to demonstrate savings of £10,000. Duty savings will be considered on a case-by–case basis.
  • Online application form: this year we are running applications online, to improve customer experience.
  • Detailed guidance: we have developed a detailed user guide, to help you submit a high-quality application.

If you have any questions or queries about the 2023 duty suspension application window, please do not hesitate to contact DBT at tariffsuspensions@trade.gov.uk.